"There's a minor present." She reminded him, pushing away his head.
He tilted his head back. "You mean my adorable little nephew who I can feel staring at me." He stretched his arm, pulling the curious baby over. "How can I forget those little innocent eyes?"
Zadia shook her head. "Why do you always have to be so sarcastic all the time?"
"To piss you off." He answered. She glared at his response, grabbing another pillow for her head. Roman reached for her hand, folding them together. "You're gonna be alright here without me these next few days."
She scoffed. "Of course I am, you're not special." She shrugged. "I still don't understand why I can't go with you. I've practically gone everywhere with you."
"I'll be fine," Roman told her. "That's all you need to know."
Zadia scoffed louder. "Please. Your definition of safe is getting into fights and messing up that stupid face of yours." It somewhat did bother her that she wouldn't be going, but she wasn't about to tell him that. Besides, she couldn't leave so soon. It would be too hard on Tino. "At least when I'm there, I help."
Laughter rumbled from Roman's chest. He knew that it bothered her not being able to come. "I'm slightly offended that you think I need a sidekick. I've been doing this for a long ass time." Zadia gasped, he referred to her as a sidekick. "You do help... not really." He coughed. "I can't deny that, but where I'm headed is a job-related thing. What did we agree on when it came down to job-related things?"
"Istayoutofit." She mumbled extremely low.
Roman placed his hand behind his ear, propping it up. He was grinning the entire time. "Say it again, I can't seem to hear you." He teased her.
She scowled at him and sighed knowingly. "I stay out of it."
Roman sat up, dramatically clapping. "That's right, you Zadia Hamilton, stay out of it." He repeated, pointing at her. "For safety reasons." He smirked. "It's okay, you can admit it. You're gonna miss me."
"I'm not." She insisted. She wasn't... maybe a little. "I'm looking forward to sleeping in my bed while you're gone."
Roman smiled at her, laying his chin on her stomach again. "At least try to lie better than that." He lowered his head, kissing her side. Zadia laughed uncontrollably, trying to push his head away. She kicked her legs, trying to break free of his hold. She laughed louder, which made Roman set her free. "I'll miss getting on your nerves."
"That fills me with much comfort knowing." She sarcastically said. "That's all you're gonna miss?"
"I'm not gonna miss your nagging."
Zadia stuck her tongue at him. She didn't want him to go. "When will you even be back? Do I at least get to know that?"
"I don't know that either, Zadia." She became quiet, thinking to herself. Roman waited for her to say something, he could feel there was more she wanted to say. "What is it?"
She looked at him. "I might miss you about this much," She demonstrated, pinching her fingers together a tiny bit. "It's not much but it's something."
"I'll take it." He whispered, his lips pressing down onto hers. He suppressed the need to shove his tongue down her mouth, out of respect for Tino. She kissed him back, her hand against his face. Roman flinched, small hands colliding with his forehead. "What the hell?!" He questioned, pulling away from Zadia to cover his right eye.
ChApTeR - 18 🔞
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